Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[jb747]

I can't see why NSW would be hamstrung given that Victoria have acted. To be honest, what Victoria is doing is sensible, so I'd expect the rules to be aligned very quickly.

Be curious to know which airline(s).

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Reference?

8:54 pmDecember 24, 2020

Victoria's stoush with international airlines grows​

The Victorian Government is staring down a revolt by international airlines that have said they may no longer fly to Melbourne because air crew isolation requirements have become unworkable.
The Herald Sun reported on Thursday that one airline has already diverted a plane to Sydney as a result of Victoria's new policy – which came into effect at noon on Wednesday – requiring mandatory quarantine and testing for international airline staff.
Under the new rules, airline crews will take a test and then stay at their quarantine hotel until their result comes through. If it is negative, they are good to go. Those who test positive will be required to remain until they are no longer infectious.

United Airlines is thought to be one of the airlines displeased at Victoria's new rules for air crew.
In this scenario, other crew members of the same flight would have to isolate for 14 days, even if they are negative.
Airlines fear it could mean planes are stranded in Melbourne if pilots and crew are forced to spend two weeks locked up in hotels.
Sydney has also tightened up air crew isolation. Crucially, however, the crews can leave on schedule.
Jeroen Weimar, the state's COVID testing commander, has admitted it's a logistical issue for airlines. But he's otherwise unfazed by the threats.
"Our position is non-negotiable," he said today.
"While we’re doing the right thing in terms of managing our international returning Australians in a very secure way, it’s important we also manage our international air crew in a similar way."

...courtesy today’s news website covid blog

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

NSW 7 new case, 6 already in isolation, other 1 who works in Northern Beaches

69k tests

Edit: Belrose case diagnosed 23/12. Based on other tests, assessed as acquired two weeks prior. based on others tests, unlinked to cluster

 

[jakeseven7]

I can't see why NSW would be hamstrung given that Victoria have acted. To be honest, what Victoria is doing is sensible, so I'd expect the rules to be aligned very quickly.

Be curious to know which airline(s).

Apparently NSW gov doesn’t have the legislative powers in place yet, states of emergency grant differing levels of powers to different state governments because we are after all 8 seperate countries

It’s common sense what VIC have done and all the other states are already there / are in process of following anyway.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Post automatically merged: Dec 25, 2020

The Avalon cluster now numbers 108.
Of the new cases in NSW to 8pm last night:
Seven cases are locally acquired, and of these:

• Four cases are linked to the Avalon cluster
• Two cases are household contacts of a previous case, whose source of infection is still under investigation
• One further case is under investigation

Aside from the seven community cases, three cases were acquired overseas and are in hotel quarantine.

 

[jb747]

United.. Why are there no surprises in this.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Transmission occurred at Paddington venue - so asking community to regard extremely low threshold of symptoms before going for test, even for example takeaway

Lunch now .... lol

 

[drron]

United.. Why are there no surprises in this.

It appears UA has an agreement with their pilots to be flown home if they test positive.

How United Airlines Deals With Pilots Who Get Coronavirus

Here's the fascinating process by which United Airlines repatriates pilots who test positive for coronavirus while abroad.

onemileatatime.com

 

[jb747]

Which is all well and good, but it needs the local government to agree.....

 

[drron]

And Taiwan is now going to insist on 14 day hotel quarantine for air crew after a NZ pilot working for EVA was an idiot and caused Taiwans first community transmissions in 8 months.

Taiwan imposes new regulations after first Covid case since April

Citizens urged to stay vigilant as investigation continues into New Zealand-born pilot blamed for spreading infection

www.theguardian.com

For his stupidity he has lost his job..

EVA Air Fires Pilot Who Caused Taiwan Coronavirus Outbreak

An EVA Air Cargo captain is responsible for Taiwan's coronavirus outbreak. Here's why the company has fired the ex-pat pilot.

onemileatatime.com

 

[SydneySwan]

I am going out on a limb here but I predict that tomorrow's NSW tests will be well south of todays 69k. Hopefully less than 7 positive as well.

 

[jb747]

I'm not sure how UA would enforce anything. But, as an ex airline person, and a Victorian resident, I'm totally onside with our beloved dictator on this.

 

[OATEK]

Im feeling old they keep calling The Paragon a sports bar, when i was a teen it was a night club.

When I worked nearby in the '80s it was a pub, then Maccas took half!

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Sigh...more venues and sites. More dates after 18/12....

News - Public health alert – New venues, flight and transport routes

NSW Health has been notified of new venues and transport routes, including a flight, attended by a confirmed case of COVID-19, and wishes to advise of a revision to the advice for a previously announced venue on a particular date and time.

www.health.nsw.gov.au

 

[N860CR]

Sigh...more venues and sites. More dates after 18/12....

Sigh? Really bizarre attitude here. The vast majority of people... not sure how to say this really... do stuff? That means when they’re identified as “positive” they’ll obviously have “been” places. I’d be far more concerned if no venues were identified. Either suggests somebody who is a serious loner, or a system that cannot track and trace.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In this scenario, other crew members of the same flight would have to isolate for 14 days, even if they are negative.

I guess this is the grating part. If the rest of the crew is negative, why the need to hold them if they are immediately leaving? I guess they could still be positive, but not showing. But Aussies aren't supposed to be travelling outbound anyway.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I guess this is the grating part. If the rest of the crew is negative, why the need to hold them if they are immediately leaving? I guess they could still be positive, but not showing. But Aussies aren't supposed to be travelling outbound anyway.

I don't get the connection between international crew and Aussies travelling outbound.....or are you making completely separate comments??

According to the Guardian article that drron posted, Taiwan has also announced restrictions on foreign flights and flagged a tightening of quarantine arrangements for flight crews to 14 days at a government facility. Flight attendants previously only had to isolate for five days, pilots for three.

I guess the race is on between the Aussie states and territories to be 'gold standard' in terms of international flight crew.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't get the connection between international crew and Aussies travelling outbound.....or are you making completely separate comments??

If a United crew arrives and one tests positive, according to the link above, the whole crew would need to be isolated for 14 days.

I don't understand the logic. If the rest of the crew test negative, why not let them fly back home on the next flight they're due to work?

The comment about Aussies was in relation to that policy. Why does the Aussie government care if flight crew fly back home rather than waiting 14 days? Who are they trying to 'protect'? Not like they're protecting (m)any Aussie pax on board.

 

[Happy Trails]

Why does the Aussie government care ... Who are they trying to 'protect'?

 

[jakeseven7]